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We teach kids to ride and walk safely to school with our Safe Routes to School program!

While many adults remember joyfully biking or walking to school, most kids today are driven to school and just about everywhere else. We want to make sure today’s kids have the opportunity to enjoy active transportation so that they are healthy and connected with their communities and their schools experience less congestion and better air quality.

Our Safe Routes to School programs are a great way to get kids excited about walking and wheeling to school and teach them how to do so safely.

Since 2006, our education team has worked with communities throughout the state to obtain funding and implement Safe Routes to School programs, and we are proud of our results. We’ve:

  • reached more than 92,000 students with bicycling and walking safety education

  • worked in more than 225 Colorado schools

  • taught hundreds of kids to ride a bike

If you’re just getting started with Safe Routes to School, or if you are seeking new ideas for an existing program, we’d love to help! Check out Bicycle Colorado’s education program guide and email bikeschool@bicyclecolorado.org if you’re interested in discussing cost, funding or scheduling an education program. Most of the offerings in our guide can be implemented in schools or at community events.

Bring Safe Routes education to your school or community

Here are a few approaches to fund Safe Routes:

  • Contact your school board to advocate for Safe Routes to School

  • Allocate departmental funds (ex. Physical Education) for education programs

  • Prioritize PTA funds to apply to walking and biking encouragement programs

  • Apply for a CDOT Safe Routes to School grant, which can fund a comprehensive education program at your school. As a project partner, Bicycle Colorado is able to provide technical assistance in grant writing.

Safe Routes to School resources

Bicycle Colorado resources

Research and funding

Event resources

Safety and other ideas

  • Walking and biking groups: Way to Go’s Schoolpool program can provide families with an easy way to coordinate carpooling, walking or biking groups. Or take a look at this step-by-step guide from the National Partnership to organize your own system.
  • Remote drop-off: Coordinate a drop-off or pick-up point a short distance from school to give students a chance to walk or bike and relieve congestion in the parking lot.
  • Crossing guards: Check out these great resources from CDOT to train crossing guards for your school.
  • Walk audits: Organize a group of parents, school staff and community members to assess the walkability and bikeability of your school and neighborhood.
  • Safe Routes maps: Develop maps for your school to identify and encourage the safest routes.

Our kids were very excited to be a part of the [safe routes to school] program! To see the expressions on their faces when they were able to ride the bikes that are now part of our school was priceless.

Scott Crites

P.E. teacher, Avery-Parsons Elementary

Parent Resources

There is no healthier or more fun way to commute to school than by foot or wheels, but many parents are concerned about safety. Before heading off to school, take a look at the questions and resources below.

When can my child ride in the street?

Some sources say that at the age of 10, kids can cognitively handle navigating the streets. We highly recommend that you spend quality time riding with your kids in the road — obeying all signs and signals, riding on the right, pointing out infrastructure and talking about being visible and predicatble — before letting them ride alone. Also, explore routes together and find the best and safest way to get places like school and nearby parks.

How can I organize a walk or bike group?

Way to Go’s Schoolpool program can provide your family with an easy way to get students to and from school. This free, secure system connects you with families in your neighborhood to organize carpooling, walking or biking together.

To start from scratch, check out this handout for tips on starting walking school buses and bike trains.

How do I teach my child to ride?

Spoiler alert — training wheels aren’t the answer!

Take the pedals off and teach your child to balance and glide on their own with their eyes up. For next steps, check out our Learn to Ride handout or sign your child up for a Learn to Ride lesson.

Bicycle Colorado
@BicycleColo

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We’re thrilled to see so many people out enjoying (and often rediscovering the joy of) riding a bike right now, and we’re asking ALL bicyclists to do their part to prevent the spread of #covid19 by wearing a mask or other face covering when out for a ride. Doing so keeps you, your loved ones, those around you, and all Coloradans safer while helping reduce stress on our medical system. If you still need a mask, click the link in our bio to pre-order one now and support our advocacy work! Thanks so much to everyone who has already purchased, and to @primalwear for supporting our efforts over the years. Ride on.
  • #BicycleColorado volunteers and staff members spent time today helping @denverurbangardens and @denverfoodrescue deliver “Grow a Garden” food boxes to home-bound families in Denver—via bike! Supporting our community on two wheels makes for a great way to spend a sunny day. Many thanks to our friends @ddchen47, David M., and @juggernautcargo for your help! Head to denverfoodrescue.org or dug.org to learn more about these great local organizations. #rideyourbike
  • Tonight the #BicycleColorado team celebrated Stacey, our outgoing Development Director, with a virtual happy hour. Stacey has been an absolute rockstar for BC. We’re sad to see her leave, but thrilled for her as she heads out on a new adventure (hopefully in the #BikeAdvocacy space!) in North Carolina. Please join us in wishing her well!